GOVERNOR EXTOLS STRIDES IN TCI’S TOURISM BRAND – BUT NOTES NEED TO MATCH OUR COMPETITORS IN FOOD PRODUCTION AND FINANCIAL SERVICES
In a message to the forthcoming Invest TCI Enhancing National Competitiveness seminar on 1 September, the Governor, Peter Beckingham, praised the tourism sector in Turks and Caicos for its great strides recently, making the country one of the top tourism brands in the Caribbean. “I have had plenty of opportunities during my three years in TCI to meet the leaders and drivers of the economy here and overseas. At the moment these remain overwhelmingly in the tourism space, and everyone involved in that sector should take a bow for the enormous strides they have helped TCI to achieve” the Governor noted. “We are one of the top Caribbean brands, regarded as a high class resort destination offering quality beaches, sea, security and resorts. No-one needs me to remind them that it is essential that everyone in TCI works to keep that reputation. The risks include degradation of our environment, which on occasions does look fragile, an unacceptable increase in crime, and political instability.”
But the Governor also cautioned that TCI was lagging behind others, including for food production and financial services. “The competitiveness conference will also focus on developing new businesses. I’m sure there are opportunities” the Governor said. “We are far too dependent on food imports, and our financial services sector is a shadow of our Overseas Territory partners and rivals in Bermuda, BVI and Cayman Islands. I will have a particular interest in hearing what the financial services group recommend TCI look to develop. With the international focus on Overseas Territories and other countries with perceived tax benefits for investors, we are going to have to peddle very fast to catch our rivals, or over-take them.”
The Governor also welcomed the focus by Invest TCI on co-operation between business and the public sector. “I am pleased that the conference will also be looking at the contribution of the public sector to growing our economy” he continued. “Too often the public service is viewed as a drag on economic development rather than a provider, and again we need to work hard to gain and maintain the confidence of business and the public. To this end I am particularly pleased that, over the last few months, I have been able to introduce the start of more private sector buy-in to improve public service delivery and customer service. Changes won’t happen overnight, but the participation of wider businesses, for example, in negotiations with Fortis about our new energy legislation, and the advice of businessmen like Ken Adams of Do It Center, and Gilly Williams of the Wine Cellar to infrastructure and immigration departments respectively, is a welcome first step. I hope that it will continue.”
Finally the Governor noted that he would be leaving TCI in a little over a month’s time. “ I will, sadly, be leaving Turks and Caicos Islands this October” he concluded “after three very happy and, I believe, fruitful years. The Government has been successful in paring down its debt to a negligible amount from a colossal $260 million, Standards and Poor have given us successive Triple B Plus ratings, and our reputation for top end tourism, including notably in villa development, is at an all time high. The formation of Invest TCI is an important and necessary step in building on these achievements. I look forward to hearing of their conclusions from this Competitiveness seminar, continuing to contribute from overseas to TCI’s successes, and hearing about new investments in the coming months. I’m sure TCI has a great future.”
